Saint Joseph’s takes over top spot in men’s poll

New York, NY (Sports Network) – Saint Joseph’s has earned the top spot in the
Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the first time in school
history.

The Hawks (27-0), who crushed St. Bonaventure in their only game last week,
are the only unbeaten team left in Division I. They received 67 first-place
votes and 1,795 points from the national media panel.

Saint Joseph’s, with an enrollment of just 3,200 students, needs three
victories in the Atlantic 10 Tournament to become the first school since UNLV
in 1991 to enter the NCAA Tournament without a loss. The Hawks are the sixth
team to reach No. 1 this season, joining Connecticut, Kansas, Florida, Duke
and Stanford.

Stanford (26-1) had its three-week run atop the poll and its undefeated season
come to an end Saturday after suffering a loss to Washington. The Cardinal,
who dropped to second in the rankings, garnered two first-place votes and
1,648 points.

Gonzaga (26-2) moved up one spot to third, the highest ranking in school
history. The Bulldogs earned one first-place vote and 1,604 points.

Mississippi State (25-2) advanced one position to fourth, while Duke (25-4)
fell two places to fifth. The Blue Devils, who lost to Georgia Tech and then
defeated North Carolina, collected two No. 1 votes.

Pittsburgh stayed sixth and was followed by Oklahoma State, Kentucky,
Connecticut and Wisconsin. The Badgers climbed seven spots to No. 10, their
highest ranking of the season.

Texas was No. 11, trailed by Illinois, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest,
North Carolina, North Carolina State, Kansas, Syracuse and Providence. The
Fighting Illini advanced six places, while the Yellow Jackets and defending
national champion Orangemen each jumped five positions.

Arizona, Utah State, Memphis, Southern Illinois and Air Force completed the
poll. The Salukis plummeted from No. 15 to 24th, while the Falcons moved into
the top 25 for the first time in school history.

Louisville fell from the rankings. The Cardinals had been as high as fourth in
the poll.